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> Braden bottle start calves eating feed quickly dairynwt
Braden bottle start calves eating feed quickly dairynwt
Braden Bottle-Grain Feeding Bottle
This is the easiest, most efficient way to get those bucket calves off to a great start!!!
Tests show that calves started on grain the first day, because of rumen development, have an average gain of 2.7 pounds per day from birth to 21 weeks of age. The Braden Start Bottle is made in the USA and is of quality construction.
Optimum nutrition during the first weeks of a calf's life is based not only on liquid feeds, but also on dry feeds. Getting calves to consume dry feed early in life is a key in decreasing rearing costs. Dry feeds have two functions in the nutrition of young calves: providing nutrients and the development of rumen function. The latter is the most important because a calf can get the nutrients it needs for rapid growth; there is no rumen development from liquid feeds. A calf fed only milk will not develop a normal rumen even if it's several months old. Reason: Liquid feeds are diverted around the rumen, because the calves esophageal groove is closed. Conversely, consumption of dry feed by a calf less than a week old causes three factors to begin in the rumen: size increase, absorptive ability, and microbial fermentation. Because the rumen is the primary site of digestion in mature cows, development of a functional one is critical to developing the digestive capability of older calves.
University of Arkanas research conducted by M.W. McGahee, Dr. W. Kellogg, P.R. Webb, and Z.B. Johnson, shows a 22 percent savings in feed and labour per calf. The calves using the Braden Start Bottle consumed significantly more grain during week one compared to the conventional bucket method group of calves.
Following is information based on Calves raising in New Zealand, but is such good information , everyone can learn from it.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS on the BRADEN BOTTLE
How long should I keep the calf on the BRADEN START BOTTLE?
Should water be given to new born calves?
Yes. Fresh water is very important and should be available at all times.
Will nursing the bottle keep calves from eating out of a bucket?
No. If you hang the bottle over a bucket what little fails out of their mouth they will eat it out of the bucket. They just eat more out of the bottle.
Can I take the BRADEN START BOTTLE away from the calf once I get them eating feed, say at two or three weeks?
You will lose the advantage of the early weaning and less stress at weaning. You will find the calves will eat less feed from the bucket and will tend to lose weight at weaning. Weight gain will also be less.
Do I have to use pellet type feed?
No. Most types of grain will flow through the bottle. Feeds that contain corn which has been flattened out larger than the end of the nipple will not work. Feeds with molasses are too sticky and will not flow.
Pull the bottle firmly against a 2X6 board and secure with a nail or screw in the slotted key hole in the rubber strap. On cattle panels or wire attach a 2X6 one foot long to the wire with one inch fence staples then hang bottle normally.
Does it matter how high or low I hang the bottle?
Yes. Hang the bottle in the corner of the pen with the nipple approximately 34 inches from the ground. The calf should reach up slightly for the nipple. If the bottle is hung to low the calf will not go to it as often therefore reducing feed intake.
The nipples are not lasting 2 or 3 calves, what am I doing wrong?
The bottle should be hung in the corner of the pen so that the calf won't get the nipple in it's mouth sideways. The bottle should always have feed in it to keep the calf from chewing on the nipple because nothing comes out.
How will I know when it is time to replace the nipple?
The nipple must be replaced when the end is no longer flexible and does not retain its shape or the nipple loses the soft feel of the natural mother's teat. When the nipple becomes hard and coarse feeling the calf does not go to the nipple as often.
When should I put the bottle in the pen with the calf?
The bottle should be hung the first day the calf is brought to the pen because the nursing instinct is strongest during the first three days of life.
What if I have an older calf, will the bottle still work?
Yes. You will have to show the calf the bottle the first few days, most will take off on their own.
We group our calves. How many calves can use one bottle?
We recommend no more than two calves per bottle. If there are not enough bottles, they will always be empty, and the smaller, less aggressive calves may not be getting enough, (if any) feed.
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